Helping the Little Guy - The Electrician's Fastening Solution

Career Electrician Designs First Adjustable, All-metal Outlet Spacer

Here's a story that I feel is worth sharing... I always welcome an opportunity to help out, especially when someone has spent years, and possibly lots of money, chasing their dream and never giving up. I'm excited to share Robert's journey so you can help support his amazing invention, and maybe get inspired to pursue your own.

Robert Jack has worked as an electrician and electrical contractor since 1979. From the very beginning of his career, he repeatedly encountered the same frustrating problem on job sites—recessed electrical boxes and devices that wouldn’t sit flush because the wallboard had been cut too large or the box was set too deep. There was no reliable off-the-shelf solution available. For years he told himself, “One day I’m going to invent something to fix this.”
Eventually, that day came.

The Problem that Sparked the Invention

One particular service call pushed me over the edge. I was replacing old receptacles where the drywall had been cut well beyond the device opening. The plaster ears had nothing to rest on. The box was recessed deep in the wall. The device was loose, unstable, and there was no professional remedy. Like many electricians, I improvised—but I knew there had to be a better way.

That night, instead of just moving on to the next job, I sat down and began sketching ideas for a mechanical fastener that would solve the issue properly. I wasn’t interested in stacking things. I wanted a true fix—something strong, adjustable, and professional and made of metal.
I searched online and located a patent agent and reached out. He called me the very next day.
I also contacted a longtime friend Gary Dimas—an innovator who was highly skilled in developing small steel mechanical components—and asked if he would help me develop the concept. He agreed immediately.

Within a year, Gary and I had a working prototype.

As development progressed, I realized the design had other applications. By enlarging the center tapped hole, the same design concept could be used to level and secure light fixture mounting brackets and ceiling fan brackets.
That led to three models:

Unishim® 632 – for devices
Unishim® 832 – for light fixture brackets
Unishim® 1032 – for ceiling fan brackets

Each model addresses the same underlying issue: proper mechanical positioning, secure fastening, and professional results. The prototype became the first adjustable, all-metal outlet spacer of its kind—the product I named Unishim®.

With Unishim®, electricians now have a reliable way to install devices, so they comply with NEC 406.5(A), which requires that receptacles and devices be securely mounted and properly supported to the box. Instead of relying on drywall overlap or makeshift shimming methods, electricians can achieve a solid, code-compliant professional installation with confidence.

My invention earned both a U.S. patent and the Unishim® trademark in the United States and Canada.

What Makes Unishim® Different
Unishim® is a metal fastening solution designed to:

Position adjustable to secure devices and fixtures firmly in place
Eliminate reliance on wallboard overlap
Prevent caving and loosening from plug-in force (especially with tamper-resistant receptacles)
Provide consistent, flush alignment

While other products exist to address recessed boxes, most are plastic shims. They do not provide the same mechanical strength or long-term durability. Because Unishim® is made of metal, it has the potential to serve not only as a positioning device but also as a grounding fastener — something plastic competitors cannot offer.

My Unishim isn't just a spacer. It's a fastening solution.

An Independent Inventor in an Established Industry
Most inventions today target the consumer market. Watch a few episodes of Shark Tank and you’ll see that clearly.

But Unishim® was built specifically for the electrical industry—for electricians and tradespeople who face real-world installation problems every day.

That market is dominated by large, established manufacturers. It’s rare for an independent inventor not only to secure a patent, but also to manufacture, distribute, and sell into electrical wholesale channels.

My patent agent once told me that over his career, he had secured approximately 120 patents for clients. Out of all of them, I’m the only independent inventor who has attempted to bring his invention fully to market.

I partnered with a third-party manufacturer and structured wholesale pricing that allowed me to work with manufacturer representatives and sell through electrical distributors—all while launching the company from my home. I also sell online through various platforms including Amazon.

Unexpected Demand
Interestingly, I discovered that Unishim® has strong appeal beyond electricians. With the introduction of tamper-resistant receptacles and the growing number of appliances that are repeatedly plugged into these outlets requiring more plug in force, recessed and unstable receptacles have become more common. At the same time, homeowners often struggle to find available electricians—and when they do, service calls can be costly.

Homeowners are now looking for a fast, affordable, and simpler way to fix the issue themselves. YouTube DIY influencers have been reviewing and touting Unishim sending a flood of DYI homeowners buying my product online.

From Side Hustle to Scaled Business
Unishim® began as a side project while I continued running my electrical contracting business. I wanted to validate the market carefully and build proper manufacturing and distribution systems before scaling. Today, I've expanded into commercial space and am focused on growing the company to the next level. What started as frustration on a job site turned into a popular patented product, a registered trademark, and a growing manufacturing and distribution business.

All because one day, instead of saying "someone should invent something to solve this problem," I decided to be that guy.

How to reach out to Robert:
Website: Unishim.com
Online Store: https://unishim.com/pages/shop
Robert's direct email: rjack@electricalimprovement.com

Mike Holt's Comment:
So, what do you think? Many of the electrical products we use every day are the result of innovations and ideas conceived in the field by folk like you. They see a need or a way to make something either more efficient or entirely new, and before long, such products become available—and it seems like we've been using them forever!

I am so excited for Robert's success. I am more than happy in whatever small way, to help him continue to the next level. He had a vision and saw it though to completion. What an inspiring story. Congratulations! And to anyone else out there, this should be an inspiration to you to pursue your dreams. As always, stay safe out there and God Bless!